San Diego, CA (April 2, 2010) – HBO and IDW Publishing are thrilled to announce an exclusive partnership to produce a multiple, all-new comic book series based on the network’s hit show True Blood. Premiering at San Diego Comic-Con in July, this sexy, visually striking comic series will add new and unique layers of supernatural drama to the wildly original Emmy®- and Golden Globe®-winning television show. Developed closely with the show’s Oscar®-winning creator, Alan Ball (HBO’s Six Feet Under, American Beauty), IDW’s True Blood series are the exclusive, official comics for the show and will be available in both print and digital formats.

“I am very excited to be introducing the True Blood comic book series,” stated Ball. “These graphic novels are a great companion to the series and we are pleased that the popularity of the show is allowing it to branch out into different mediums.”

The first six-issue True Blood comic series offers the same erotically-charged romance, wry humor and intriguing mystery and suspense the show has become known for. The plot was developed with Ball, along with series writers Elisabeth Finch and Kate Barnow, and co-written by David Tischman and Mariah Huehner. Beautifully illustrated by top tier artist David Messina, the series captures all the bloody details and sexy reveals of this exciting new adventure. Renowned artist J. Scott Campbell will join Messinain providing covers for each issue.

In the first storyline, Sookie and the rest of Bon Temps find themselves waiting in Merlotte’s bar for a strangely portentous raging storm to subside. Soon, they discover they’ve been trapped by an entity that feeds off of raw emotions and begins killing off the patrons one by one until his hunger is sated.

“True Blood is one of the most exciting dramas on television and has been eagerly anticipated by comics fans for a long time,” said IDW CEO, Ted Adams. “We are very excited to bring more of this great entertainment franchise to fans.”

True Blood #1 (of 6, 32 pages, full color, $3.99) will be available in stores in July. Pre-order now at HBO.com.